Systems and methods for a horizontal completion tree

ABSTRACT

Embodiments disclosed herein describe surface systems and delivery methods for a horizontal completion tree, wherein the horizontal completion tree is configured to receive high-pressure fluid from a single treating line. Utilizing the horizontal completion tree, safety risks may be reduced because there may be fewer treating lines over a given area, and personnel may interact with the horizontal completion tree without lifts or ladders.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims a benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Provisional Application No. 62/022,371 filed on Jul. 9, 2015, which is fully incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field of the Disclosure

Examples of the present disclosure are related to surface systems and delivery methods for hydraulic fracturing oil and gas well completions. More particularly, embodiments disclose a single treating line being coupled to a horizontal completion tree (Frac Stac).

2. Background

Hydraulic fracturing is a mining technique in which a high-pressure fluid is injected into a wellbore. Responsive to injecting the high-pressure fluid into the wellbore, the high-pressure fluid creates fractures in the selected formation in order to allow natural gas, petroleum, and other natural resources to migrate to the well. When the hydraulic pressure is removed from the well, small grains of hydraulic fracturing proppants hold open the fractures below the wellbore.

Conventionally in hydraulic fracturing, a vertical completion tree (Frac Stac) receives the high-pressure liquid fluid from a plurality of treating lines. Rach of the plurality of treating lines receives the high pressure liquid at a position proximate to a top surface of the vertical well. Subsequently, the vertical completion tree combines the high-pressure liquid fluid received from the plurality of treating lines, and emits the high-pressure liquid fluid into the wellbore.

The vertical completion tree is required to receive the high-pressure liquid from the plurality of treating lines at the position proximate to the top surface of the vertical completion tree for various reasons. A first reason is the treating lines are not sized with large enough diameter to handle a total flow rate. A second reason is the vertical completion tree will overturn when a large diameter line is moved to one side, which create side loading when uneven forces are applied in an overall directional direction.

However, in conventional hydraulic completion services, multiple vertical completion trees are required, wherein each of the multiple vertical completion trees require multiple treating lines. This multiple treating lines cause working personnel to be exposed to numerous treating lines carrying the high-pressure fluid. Additionally, the numerous treating lines create a hazardous work environment that may result from the personnel tripping on the treating lines, the treating lines exploding, etc.

Furthermore, when operating vertical completion stacs, personnel are required to be positioned on the top of the vertical completion stac. This may lead to the personnel dropping objects, falling from the lift, etc.

Accordingly, needs exist for more effective and efficient surface systems and delivery methods for hydraulic completion services, wherein a horizontal completion tree (Frac Stac) well may be configured to receive high-pressure fluid from a single treating line.

SUMMARY

Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for a horizontal completion tree, wherein the horizontal completion tree is configured to receive high-pressure fluid from a single treating line. Utilizing the horizontal completion tree, safety risks may be reduced because there may be fewer treating lines over a given area. Additionally, safety risks may be reduced because personnel may interact with the horizontal completion tree without lifts or ladders. Furthermore, embodiments allow fewer components, such as treating lines, to operate, which may reduce operating costs, repairs, and the amount of personnel required to operate the horizontal completion tree.

In embodiments, a horizontal completion tree may include an inlet port, a control block, an outlet port, and a swab valve.

The inlet port may be configured to couple with a single treating line, and may be configured to receive high-pressure fluid. The high-pressure fluid may include liquid, sand, water-soluble gelling agents, etc., wherein the high-pressure fluid may be configured to increase the viscosity of the high-pressure fluid. In embodiments, the inlet port may have a diameter greater than or equal to six inches.

The control block may be configured to receive the high-pressure fluid received from the inlet port, and output the high-pressure fluid to the outlet port. The internal geometry or cuttings of the control block may be configured to control the direction of the flow of the high-pressure fluid, while limiting, reducing, etc. Additionally, the internal geometry or cutting of the control block may limit the erosion, washing out, etc. to the control block caused by the force of the high-pressure fluid.

The outlet port may be configured to receive high-pressure fluid from the control block, and output the high-pressure fluid to the wellbore.

The swab valve may be a working value configured to allow lubricant, tools, etc. to pass through the control block, and into the wellbore. The swab valve may include a pipe extending through the body of the control block.

These, and other, aspects of the invention will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. The following description, while indicating various embodiments of the invention and numerous specific details thereof, is given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements may be made within the scope of the invention, and the invention includes all such substitutions, modifications, additions or rearrangements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the present invention are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various views unless otherwise specified.

FIG. 1 depicts a horizontal well, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 depicts a method for controlling high-pressure fluid in a horizontal completion tree, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 depicts internal geometry of a control block, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 depicts a top view of a cross section of a control block, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 depicts a top view of a cross section of a control block, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of a control block, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of a control block, according to an embodiment.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one having ordinary skill in the art that the specific detail need not be employed to practice the present embodiments. In other instances, well-known materials or methods have not been described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the present embodiments.

Embodiments disclosed herein describe surface systems and delivery methods for a horizontal completion tree, wherein the horizontal completion tree is configured to receive high-pressure fluid from a single treating line. The horizontal well may have a top height that is substantially lower than that of a conventional vertical completion tree, wherein personnel may operate the horizontal completion tree without the use of ladders or lifts.

FIG. 1 depicts one embodiment of a horizontal well 100. Horizontal well may include inlet port 110, control valves 115, piping 120, control block 125, outlet port 130, swab valve, 140, and platform 150.

Inlet port 110 may be configured to receive high-pressure fluid from a single treating line. The treating line may be configured to pump the high-pressure fluid comprised of liquid, sand, water-soluble gelling agents, etc. into inlet port 110, wherein inlet port 110 may be configured to receive the high-pressure fluid in a direction that is parallel to a surface of the ground below horizontal inlet port 110. Inlet port 110 may have a diameter that is greater than or equal to six inches. In embodiments, inlet port 110 may be positioned on a first side 112 of horizontal completion tree 100. Inlet port 110 may be positioned on first side 112 to offset the weight of control valves 115 and piping 120.

Control valves 115 may be valves used to control the flow, pressure, liquid level of the high-pressure fluid received by inlet port 110 and/or transferred to control block 125. Control valves 115 may be opened and/or closed manually or automatically via electrical, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuators. In embodiments, control valves 115 may be positioned at a height such that personnel operating horizontal completion tree may adjust the valves without the use of a ladder and/or lift. Accordingly, control valves 115 may be positioned between four to six feet above a floor surface. In embodiments, control valves 115 may be configured to control the flow, pressure, etc. of the high pressure fluid received by inlet port 110 because inlet port 110 and piping 120 may have different diameters. For example, the diameter of inlet port 110 may be six inches in width to accommodate a similarly sized treating line, and piping 120 may have a diameter of five and a half inches.

Piping 120 may be tube, hollow cylinder, etc. configured to transfer the high-pressure fluid from inlet port 110 to control block 125. Piping 120 may be comprised of various materials, which may be configured to limit, reduce, etc. the erosion of piping 120 caused by the high-pressure fluid. In embodiments, piping 120 may be configured to control the directional flow of the high-pressure fluid in a direction that is parallel to a surface of the ground below inlet port 110.

Control block 125 may be a hardware device configured to control the direction and the velocity of the high-pressure fluid. Control block 125 may be configured to control the direction and velocity of the high-pressure fluid based on the internal geometry and/or cuttings of control block 125, wherein the internal geometry and/or cuttings of control block 125 may limit, reduce, etc. the erosion that the high-pressure fluid causes to control block 125.

In embodiments, the internal geometry of control block 125 may be bowl cut. The bowl cut control block 125 may include tapered, curved, angled, etc. (referred to hereinafter collectively and individually as “angled”) sidewalls to reduce the erosion caused by the high-pressure fluid entering control block 125 via piping 120. Furthermore, the angled sidewalls may be configured to control the internal flow of the high-pressure fluid within control block 125. Utilizing the angled sidewalls, the high-pressure fluid may be output from control block 125 in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction that the high-pressure fluid is received.

In embodiments, control block 125 may be configured to control the velocity of the high-pressure fluid being output of control block 125 via the diameter of outlet port 130, wherein the diameter of outlet port 130 may be less than or greater than the diameter of piping 120.

Outlet port 130 may be configured to receive the high-pressure fluid from control block 125, and transfer the fluid to a wellbore. In embodiments, outlet port 130 may be positioned in a direction that is perpendicular to, and below, the direction of a face of inlet port 110.

In embodiments, a second side 132 of horizontal completion tree 100 may be configured to be coupled to a set of wing valves. The wing valves may be positioned on second side 132 of horizontal completion tree 100, such that the weight of first side 112 and second side 132 of horizontal completion tree 100 to not cause horizontal completion tree 100 to overturn.

Swab valve 140 may be a working valve positioned on a top surface of horizontal completion tree 100, swab valve 140 may be coupled to a vertical face of control block 125. Swab valve 140 may be configured to transfer lubricant, tools, etc. to the wellbore through control block 125. In embodiments, swab valve 140 may be disposed in positioned parallel to outlet port 130 and perpendicular to piping 120.

Platform 150 may be a scaffolding system allowing personnel to operate portions of horizontal completion tree 100. In embodiments, platform 150 may be

FIG. 2 depicts a method 200 for controlling high-pressure fluid in a horizontal completion tree, according to an embodiment. The operations of method 200 presented below are intended to be illustrative. In some embodiments, method 200 may be accomplished with one or more additional operations not described, and/or without one or more of the operations discussed. Additionally, the order in which the operations of method 200 are illustrated in FIG. 2 and described below is not intended to be limiting.

At operation 210, an inlet port may receive high-pressure fluid in a direction that is parallel to the direction of a horizontal completion tree, wherein the direction is parallel to a surface of the ground. The horizontal completion tree may receive the high-pressure fluid from a single treating line, wherein the single treating line has a diameter that is greater than or equal to six inches. The diameter of the single treating line may be larger than the diameter of a standard treating line because vertical completion trees may require a plurality of treating lines. Additionally, the diameter of the single treating line may be larger than the diameter of ports associated with wing valves.

At operation 220, a control block may receive the high-pressure fluid. The control block may receive the high-pressure fluid via piping that has a smaller diameter than the inlet port. Accordingly, control valves may be utilized to modify the pressure of the high-pressure fluid by changing the diameter between the inlet port and the outlet port.

At operation 230, the control block may control the flow of direction of the high-pressure fluid via the internal geometry and cuttings of the control block. The control block may control the direction of the high-pressure fluid to flow in a direction that is perpendicular to the surface of the ground. The internal geometry and cuttings of the control block may include angled, tapered, slanted, etc. sidewalls and an internal projection, wherein the internal geometry of the control block may also limit, reduce, etc. the erosion to the control block caused by the high-pressure fluid.

At operation 240, the control block may control the velocity of the high-pressure fluid flowing out of an outlet port. The control block may control the velocity of the high-pressure fluid by having the diameter of the outlet port being greater than the diameter of the inlet port. Therefore, the control block may be configured to slow down the velocity of the high-pressure fluid through the horizontal well.

At operation 250, the controlled high-pressure fluid may flow from the outlet port to a wellbore, wherein the high-pressure fluid may fracture rock.

FIG. 3 depicts one embodiment of the internal geometry of control block 300. Control block 300 may be configured to control the direction and velocity of high-pressure fluid flowing through control block 300. As depicted in FIG. 3 control block 300 may have a plurality of one way pipes 305 that are configured to transport high-pressure fluid, tools, etc. to a wellbore. The one way pipes 305 may extend through the control block. Control block 300 may also include an inlet port 310 and wing valve port 320.

FIG. 4 depicts one embodiment of a top view of a cross section of control block 300.

Cross section 400 depicts a vertical cross section of control block 300, wherein inlet port 310 is configured to receive high-pressure fluid in a first direction. As further depicted in cross section 400, control block 300 may have ports with tapered, angled, etc. sidewalls 314. Sidewalls 314 are configured to limit the washout, erosion, etc. of the internal geometry of control block 300, and configured to control the direction of the high-pressure fluid flowing through control block 300. In embodiments, sidewalls 314 may be configured to be positioned between a second side of inlet port 310 and a circumference of outlet port 312. Therefore, the sidewalls 314 may be utilized to create a gap or space between the second side of inlet port 310 and the circumference of outlet port 312. Responsive to control block receiving high pressure fluid, sidewalls 314 may control the flow of fluid within control block 300, which may create a vortex within control block 300.

In embodiments, high pressure fluid may be configured to enter into control block 300 via inlet port 310. Utilizing the angled sidewalls 314, a vortex may be created within control block 300, wherein the high pressure fluid may be output out of control block 300 via outlet port 312. In embodiments, outlet 312 may have a greater diameter than inlet port 310 to limit washout.

Furthermore, control block 300 may include bi-directional block 410. The bi-directional block 410 may include a flange that blocks the flow of fluid through control block 300. Responsive to the bi-directional block 410 being eroded the bi-directional block 410 may be replaced without having to replace the entire control block 300. Therefore, costs associated with control block 300 may be reduced. In embodiments, bi-directional block 410 may be configured to be positioned adjacent to a circumference of outlet port 312, wherein bi-directional block creates a planar sidewall.

As further depicted in FIG. 4, the inlets associated with wing valves 320 may extend into control block 300 past or proximate to a circumference of outlet port 312. Because the fluid entered into control block 300 via wing valves 320 is not high pressure fluid, there is less need to control the fluid entered into control block via wing valves 320 because there is a reduced likelihood of erosion. Accordingly, second ends of wing valves 320 may form right angles that are positioned proximate to the circumference of outlet port 312.

FIG. 5 depicts one embodiment of a top view of a cross section of control block 300.

Cross section 500 depicts a horizontal cross section of control block 300.

FIG. 6 depicts a side view of one embodiment of control block 300. As depicted in FIG. 6, an inlet pipe may be secured to control block 300 via a plurality of drill taps 600.

FIG. 7 depicts a side view of one embodiment of control block 300. As depicted in FIG. 7, a wing valve pipe may be secured to control block 300 via a plurality of drill taps 700.

Although the present technology has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred implementations, it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the technology is not limited to the disclosed implementations, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present technology contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any implementation can be combined with one or more features of any other implementation.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment”, “in an embodiment”, “one example” or “an example” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable combinations and/or sub-combinations in one or more embodiments or examples. In addition, it is appreciated that the figures provided herewith are for explanation purposes to persons ordinarily skilled in the art and that the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A horizontal completion tree for hydraulic fracturing oil and gas well completions comprising: an inlet port configured to be coupled with a single treating line, the inlet port configured to receive high-pressure fluid, the inlet port having a first diameter; a pipeline configured to transport the high-pressure fluid from the inlet port, the pipeline having a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter; and a control block including an input port, angled sidewalls, and an output port, the input port being positioned on a first face of the control block, wherein a first end of the input port has a third diameter configured to receive the high-pressure fluid from the pipeline, the angled sidewalls are positioned on a second end of the input port, wherein the angled sidewalls are configured to control the flow of the high-pressure fluid within the control block, the output port being positioned on a second face of the control block, wherein the output port has a fourth diameter being greater than the third diameter, the second face of the control block being positioned below and perpendicular to the first face of the control block.
 2. The horizontal completion tree of claim 1, further comprising: a bi-direction block positioned on an opposite side of the control block, wherein the bi-directional block includes a linear sidewall configured to block the flow of the high-pressure fluid through the control block.
 3. The horizontal completion tree of claim 2, wherein the linear sidewall of the bi-directional block is positioned adjacent to a circumference of the output port.
 4. The horizontal completion tree of claim 1, wherein a first end of the angled sidewalls are positioned on a first plane within a circumference of the output port and a second end of the angled sidewalls are positioned on a second plane level with the circumference of the output port.
 5. The horizontal completion tree of claim 4, wherein the angled sidewalls create a space between the second end of the input port and the output port.
 6. The horizontal completion tree of claim 4, further comprising: wing valves positioned on opposite side of the control block.
 7. The horizontal completion tree of claim 6, wherein a second end of the wing valves are positioning more proximate to the output port than the second end of the angled sidewalls.
 8. The horizontal completion tree of claim 4, wherein the first end of the angled sidewalls have the third diameter, and the second end of angled sidewalls have the fourth diameter.
 9. The horizontal completion tree of claim 1, further comprising: a swab valve positioned on a top surface of the control block, the swab valve being positioned parallel to the output port and perpendicular to the pipeline.
 10. The horizontal completion tree of claim 1, wherein the inlet port is configured to receive high-pressure fluid from a single treating line.
 11. The horizontal completion tree of claim 1, wherein the single treating line has a diameter that is greater than or equal to six inches.
 12. The horizontal completion tree of claim 1, wherein the control block is configured to change a direction of the flow of the high pressure fluid.
 13. The horizontal completion tree of claim 1, wherein the high-pressure fluid enters the control block at a first rate, and the high pressure fluid exits the control block at a second rate.
 14. The horizontal completion tree of claim 13, wherein the first rate is greater than the second rate. 